Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed 10 additional hearing days to conclude the trial in the corruption case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over the naira redesign policy.
The dates were agreed upon by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN).
The trial, which commenced in 2024, is scheduled to continue on February 3 and 10; April 1 and 2; May 11, 12, 13 and 14; as well as June 9 and 10, during which the court expects the matter to be concluded.
Justice Anenih urged counsel on both sides to adhere strictly to the scheduled dates, assuring them that the court would make adequate accommodations to ensure a smooth trial.
At the resumed hearing, an EFCC witness, Emere Chinedu, an operative of the anti-graft agency, told the court that the Presidency under former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the redesign of the naira.
Chinedu, who headed the inter-agency probe panel that investigated the former CBN governor, however, said the Presidency stipulated that the printing of the redesigned naira notes should be carried out locally, contrary to the offshore printing allegedly undertaken during Emefiele’s tenure.
He further testified that Emefiele made six extra-judicial statements while appearing before the panel in his defence. According to him, the statements were made on October 26, 27, 30 and 31, as well as November 1 and 2, 2023.
“In the course of our investigation, we extended our inquiry to the State House to ascertain whether approval was granted for the naira redesign. The response of the State House was communicated to the EFCC in writing.
“The State House approved the naira redesign but with the proviso that it must be done locally,” the witness said.
Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Chinedu declined to confirm claims in one of Emefiele’s statements that a former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, first suggested the naira redesign to former President Buhari.
He stated that the EFCC had no authority to propose changes to the colour or design of the naira, adding that any such involvement would only be advisory.
On video clips tendered by the EFCC showing Nigerians complaining of hardship during the naira redesign, the witness admitted that the materials predated the establishment of the probe panel.
He explained that the videos, sourced from various television stations, were downloaded from the internet and tendered to demonstrate the hardship suffered by Nigerians during the exercise. He added that the panel neither knew the producers of the videos nor interviewed any staff of the television stations.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned further cross-examination of the witness to February 3.
